Gluing a New Bridge Plate
Source: Guitar Bridge Repairs
Gluing a New Bridge Plate:
If you haven’t already, read the accompanying articles on this subject:
How to Remove a Loose Bridge Plate:
How to Make a New Guitar Bridge Plate:
Tools and Materials Required:
Wooden Cam Clamps:
2-Part Epoxy Glue
Acetone:
Bridge Plate Caul:
Mechanics Inspection Mirror
LED Work Light
Paraffin Wax:
Rubber Gloves:
N95 Rated Respirator
Making the Bridge Plate Camping Caul:
This caul is very important in the gluing process. You should take the bridge place and trace it onto a 19 mm (3/4″) thick piece of hardwood. Cut the caul out on the band saw and make sure you make it 1/8″ to 1/4″ smaller on each side than that of the bridge plate.
Next take some paraffin wax and thoroughly wax the bottom side of the caul to prevent glue from sticking to it during the gluing step.
Clean The Bridge Plate:
If you decided to make the bridge plate from an exotic wood, or a wood that contains a lot of resin, you should clean the gluing surface of the plate with acetone until no color comes off on the cleaning rag.
Ultimate Guitar Tip: Be sure to use Rubber Gloves and a Respirator while working with Acetone. It can be absorbed through your skin and into your lungs and is very unhealthy.
Prepare The Guitar:
Make all the necessary preparations to protect and secure the guitar such as placing a top protection template on the guitar, securing the guitar to the workbench or in a woodworkers vice and placing a protective pad in place to protect the guitar finish. Place the LED Work Lightt and Mechanics Inspection Mirror
Glue The Bridge Plate:
Coat the bridge plate with a thin coating of 2-Part Epoxy Gluee. Use a thing piece of plastic with a straight edge to make the coating thin and even.
Place the Bridge Plate into position with one hand and set the clamping caul into place with the other. Make sure the bridge plate is in place by inspection in the mirror. Not take a wooden cam clamp and hold into position and flip the cam to place a bit of pressure on the assembly. Take one final look at the assembly to make sure that everything is in place.
Now place (2) more wooden cam clamps on either side of the center clamp and position them carefully. Place a slight amount of pressure on them. Next apply more pressure progressively until the clamps are tight and set aside to dry overnight.
Remove Clamps and Cleanup:
Remove the clamps the next day. Clean any excess glue with a small sharp chisel.
Chuck a drill bit that most closely fits the bridge pin holes. Hold a sacrificial piece of wood about 1/2 to 3/4″ thick inside the guitar tightly over the bridge plate and drill down through the bridge pins holes and through the bridge plate. The sacrificial wood will minimize tear-out of the drill bit as it exits the hole.
Tags: fixing guitar buzzes, gluing a new bridge plate, how to glue a guitar bridge plate
